GEORGIOS SAMARAS rates the Old Firm clash as one of the top three derbies in the world and claims it will even outshine tomorrow night’s title decider in Manchester.

GEORGIOS SAMARAS rates the Old Firm clash as one of the top three derbies in the world and claims it will even outshine tomorrow night’s title decider in Manchester.

The Greek hitman can’t help keep an eye on the action down south – as a former City star he hopes they’ll nick it over United and take a massive step toward the English crown.

But first, he is fully focused on today’s clash in Glasgow.

The Hoops may have the title wrapped up – but Sammy knows there is still plenty at stake.

Samaras said: “I’ve been at Celtic since 2008 and in all that time the fight for the league title has gone down to the last day or two games before the end of the season.

“This year is a totally different story.

“I would prefer to have had the drama – but in the end it is the winning that counts.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the last day or a month before, with one point or one goal difference, I really don’t care. I just want the medal at the end of the season.

“I also want to beat Rangers. But we have nothing to prove.

“People forget that we were 15 points behind Rangers at one point but turned that around without help from anyone.

“That proves a lot about the character of this team.”

Now Samaras can’t wait to sample the big derby atmosphere again. He said: “It is the best game in this country and maybe the world.

“As players, we can’t wait to get on the pitch and enjoy the game.

“I love the big matches and like having pressure on me. I feel I have more motivation.

“I love the game, the atmosphere and the fans, everything.

“It is something that no player can believe in any other country.

“Celtic v Rangers is in the top three derbies in the world.

“There’s Boca Juniors and River Plate and Real Madrid v Barcelona – and the Old Firm derby.

“But here the match is about the football, the community, religion, politics – everything is part of the game.

“You can see it in the passion of the fans how much depends on it. For the supporters, it’s more than a football game.

“The atmosphere took me by surprise in my first derby.

“I was used to the games between Man United and City – but the only similarity there is that the rivals are in the same city.

“Everybody in the UK realises the Old Firm clash is bigger than everything, bigger than the rest.

“The Old Firm game has 100 and more years of history and that will continue. This won’t be the last Celtic v Rangers match – nothing will finish after this one.

“I’ve had great moments against Rangers and want more. My favourite was the 3-0 win last season – it was the first time I saw the fans do the huddle.

“Never in my career have I lost my focus before.

“But I realised I was looking at the stand when the ball was still in play. It was just a split second.

“I always try to ignore what is going on around me but the atmosphere was unique.”

Samaras will tune in to the action from the Etihad Stadium and reckons City will inch it.

He said: “I spent two wonderful years at City and will always have friends there.

“It’s a big game. If City win then they are back on track, if they don’t then that’s their title bid finished. They have to win or go home.

“They have the players and the character to go and win but it is a massive game. Not bigger than ours but it is still a massive game.”

Meanwhile 19-year-old Dylan McGeouch is hoping for the biggest break in his young career – if he gets the nod to make his Old Firm debut today.

The teenager, who has been named in Neil Lennon’s squad for this afternoon’s clash, has dreamed of the moment since watching Lubo Moravcik and Henrik Larsson inspire Celtic to historic derby wins.

Yet the fickle nature of football could well have seen Hoops-daft McGeouch lining up in the blue corner today.

The kid from Milton was on the Hoops books as a kid.

But a fall-out over the club’s treatment of his brother Darren saw him quit and cross the city divide to sign for Rangers.

He spent three years learning his trade at Murray Park before a visit from Lennon persuaded ?him his future lay with his boyhood heroes.

And it’s a decision he hasn’t regretted for a minute. He netted a sublime effort against St Mirren eight minutes after coming on as a sub in his home debut back in November and has been on the first-team fringes since.

He also helped John Kennedy’s young Celts secure a historic hat-trick of SFA Youth Cup crowns with a brace in Monday night’s 8-0 final win over Queen of the South in a man-of-the-match display.

McGeouch then won his first cap for Scotland Under-21s against Italy two days later.

He said: “I thought my chance of playing for Celtic was over when I moved to Rangers.

“But it’s great to get a second chance. To be involved on an Old Firm day would be excellent. Madness really.

“Everyone wants to play every week but as a young lad in a big squad, you know that’s not really going to happen.

“You have to bide your time and keep trying to impress the manager. Hopefully now the league’s wrapped up I can get a couple of appearances. With Celtic winning the league early they can afford to put in young lads like myself and Tony Watt.

“Hopefully others can slot in, impress the manager and fans and prove to everyone we can make the step up.

“I’ve come on in a few games and done okay. I feel as if I could fit in to the senior set-up.